AES E-Library

A High-Performance, Low-Cost Wax Cylinder Transcription System

We describe a high-performance, low-cost wax cylinder transcription system. Using readily available parts and software, the BURP-ONE (Basic Utility Record Player) system gives archivists a pragmatic means for preserving the heritage of antique cylinder recordings. A practical methodology for quality restoration of wax cylinders that can be followed by archivists of limited technical means is described. The resulting transcriptions represent unprecedented performance at minimal cost for serious audio archival work.